Ejection apparatus and method for emptying refuse containers

ABSTRACT

A refuse dumping apparatus having a pivotal and displaceable container in which a normally stored ejector blade can be disposed in the rearward path of the container and in which power means can move the container onto the rearwardly directed ejector blade causing impacted refuse to be pushed toward the rearward, dump opening of the refuse container; the ejector blade being fixed in either an operative or stored position; being raised by movement of the container and a cooperating cam means or by mechanical means such as a fluid motor, screw or the like; and the ejector blade being extensible by power means.

United States Patent [191 Dubo [451 Aug. 13, 1974 EJECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EMPTYING REFUSE CONTAINERS [76] Inventor: Harry H. Dubo, 36 Yates Dr.,

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Aug. 3,. 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 277,525

[52] US. Cl 214/510, 2l4/82, 100/278,

[51] Int. Cl B601) l/16 [58] Field of Search ..2l4/505, 510, 82, 514; 100/278, 218

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,648,868 3/1972 Richler 214/82 X Primary ExaminerAlbert J. Makay [5 7] ABSTRACT A refuse dumping apparatus having a pivotal and displaceable container in which a normally stored ejector blade can be disposed in the rearward path of the container and in which power means can move the container onto the rearwardly directed ejector blade causing impacted refuse to be pushed toward the rearward, dump opening of the refuse container; the ejector blade being fixed in either an operative or stored position; being raised by movement of the container and a cooperating cam means or by mechanical means such as a fluid motor, screw or the like; and the ejector blade being extensible by power means.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures l EJECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EMPTYING REFUSE CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to refuse handling apparatus and particularly to means for assisting in unloading impacted, pivotal containers.

2. Description of the Prior Art The problem of freeing impacted refuse in refuse containers at a land-fill or dump site has been recognized in the art as has been the problem of compacting the refuse to attain maximum pay load; see, for example, the following US Pat. Nos.: 2,961,105, Shubin; 3,019,191, Draxler; 3,110,406, Roth; 3,489,302, Danzart; 3,230,868, Smith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus for facilitating the emptying of pivotal, impacted refuse containers utilizing a winch-and-cable assembly, for example, to move a tiltable container onto a horizontally disposed ejector blade means to urge refuse out of the rear of the refuse container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevational view of a dump vehicle having a tiltable refuse container incorporating the invention, and showing by phantom lines how refuse is dumped;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, partially sectioned, elevation showing how the parts are initially moved to orient the ejector blade means toward an operative position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the ejector blade in an operative position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 showing how the refuse container is moved onto the ejector blade means;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the ejector blade means in an operative position;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the rear of the refuse container;

FIG. 7 is a still further enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on the plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 5, and showing details of a removable anti-friction element used on the ejection blade means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, with portions broken away, of another embodiment of the ejector blade of the invention showing power means for orienting the blade to an operative position;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section, on a slightly enlarged scale, showing how the ejector blade is moved from the operative phantom line position, "to the stored position shown in solid lines;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an extensible ejector blade and showing by means of phantom lines how extension thereof is accomplished; and

FIG. 11 is a section taken on line l1-ll of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in detail and first considering FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 includes on its frame or chassis 2 12 a tiltable frame or pallet 14 having a tilt or pivot axis 16.

Mounted on chassis 12, in a conventional manner, is

a power lift means 18 comprising a cylinder 20 pivoted at 22 and extensible ram 24 pivoted at 26 beneath the tiltable frame on pallet 14.

the pallet 14 has reciprocatably or displaceably supported thereon a refuse container 28 and ejector blade means 30.

The refuse container 28 can be cylindrical, rectangular, etc., and includes a rearwardly-opening opening controlled by panel 33. When the pallet 14, i.e., container 28, is tilted as shown in FIG. I, at times impacted refuse will not gravitate out of the container. To assist dumping, i.e. obviate impaction, the ejector blade means 30 is utilized.

The ejector blade means 30 cooperates with a winchand-cable assembly comprising a power winch 34 journaled on a transverse axis 36 on the pallet 14. A cable 38 is wound on winch 34 and is payed over an idler 40 also journaled on a transverse axis of rotation 42. The cable 38 has a reversed or forwardly directed run 44 which terminates in a hook or ring element 46.

The refuse container 28 includes on its forward wall 48 a reinforced, protected indentation 50 in which is disposed an anchor or hook element 52 removably receiving the hook or ring 46.

Considering FIGS. 2-4 in sequence, after the pallet 14 is tilted about axis 16, as seen in FIG. 1, the cable 38 is payed out to permit the container wall 48 to move rearwardly away from the ejector blade assembly 30.

The container wall 48 includes a forwardly-opening opening 54 confronting the ejector blade assembly 30 and access thereto is controlled by a displaceable panel 56 hinged at 58 on the inner surface of wall 48 and depending in front of the opening 54. Refuse R urged into the container piles behind panel 56; see FIG. 4 as to how the panel is moved by the ejector blade means to assist in refuse ejectment.

The ejection blade means is mounted on the pallet adjacent the rear end thereof. This means comprises a suitably stable and reinforced support comprising spaced vertical members 60, 62 having a transverse axel 64 upon which are journaled bifurcated portions 68 of a frame member 70 comprising a plurality of mutually parallel members 72 connected by a transverse bight member or head element 74. The bifurcations include, at 90 intervals, transverse apertures (not shown) alignable with corresponding apertures 76, 78 (FIG. 3) through which a lock or key element 80 is removably received; see FIG. 5 for example. With the key or lock 80 inserted through aperture 76 and corresponding aperture of one portion 68 of the frame memher results in the ejection blade means being secured in its inoperative or stored" position; see dotted line view in FIG. 2.

Before going into the method of using the apparatus and/or disposing the ejector into an operative position as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, in FIG. 7 there is shown anti-friction means 82, comprising a laterally opening sleeve 84 secured on the inner surface of one member 72 and intersected by a spring-urged detent retainer-ball assembly 86 communicating with the bore of the sleeve. Removably received in the sleeve is the axel 88 of a roller or wheel element 90; the axel 88 having a circumferential groove 92 receiving ball 94 of the assembly 86. The anti-friction means 82 is normally stored in sleeve 84; see FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 and facilitates raising and lowering of the ejection blade means. The ejection blade means is a relatively massive structure and is of considerable weight; typical dimensions being about 30 X 48 to be used witha refuse container of about 22 feet in length. In order to use the winch assembly, a cam track 96 includes an angular ramp portion 98 both in alignment with the wheel 90 on one side of the ejector blade member 72.

Considering FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternated embodiment of the ejector blade 130 comprises vertical members 160, 162 having a transverse axel 164 upon which is pivoted the bifurcated ends 166, 168 of a frame member 170 having a transverse bight or head element 174. Either of the bifurcations (166, 168) and in this case 168 includes an extension to which is journaled one end 176, spaced from axel 162 to provide a leverarm, to a fluid operated ram 177 operatively disposed in a fluid motorcylinder 179 which in turn is journaled at 181 a transverse anchor plate 183 between the vertical members 160, 162.

In this embodiment, just as the one previously described, the lock-pin apertures 76, 78 cooperating with lock-pin 80 are incorporated in the frame member 170 and vertical members 160, 162.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an extensible ejector blade 230 is of the type used in the arrangements of FIGS. I-7 and 8, 9, in this embodiment, the frame member 270 comprises mutually parallel side members 272 which have a channel shaped cross section as seen in FIG. 11. The head 274 includes mutually parallel arms 275 telescopically received in the side members 272 and suitable transverse braces 277 extend at upper and lower portions of side members 272, anchored at a base plate 279 is the housing of a fluid motor 280 including an extensible ram 282 fixed at 283 to the head 274.

In this embodiment, an anti-friction wheel assembly 82 is disclosed; this functioning with a cam ramp 98 as in FIGS. 2-7 of the first-described embodiment. Clearly, the expedient of a fluid-motor power means arrangement can be utilized with the extensible ejector blade 230 as in FIGS. 8 & 9.

The fluid operated power means 179, 177 could be replaced by a power-operated screw means (not shown) such being operatively connected between anchor plate 183 and the power-operated screw would be journaled at 176 in lever-arm relationship as the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9.

METHOD OF OPERATION AND USE OF APPARATUS The container 28 and ejection blade means 30 are normally in the solid line position of FIG. 1; the cable run 44 is attached by ring 46 to hook 52. Upon reaching a dump or land-fill site, the pallet 14 is tilted at 16 by means of the power lift means 18; preferably, but not necessarily, fluid-pressure operated.

With the parts in the tilted" position shown, the container 28 is prevented from gravitating by the cable and winch assembly. The rear or tail gate 33 is opened and the refuse R would normally gravitate. If the refuse is severely impacted, and will not drop out of the container the following procedure is used:

The anti-friction wheel 82 of the ejector blade 30 is engaged on track 96 above ramp 98. The key 80 is removed from aperture 76 and released from member 70.

As the container 28 gravitates through control of the winch assembly, the member pivots downwardly as seen in FIG. 2, for example. When the member 70 reaches a substantially horizontal position relative to pallet 14, see FIG. 3, the key is inserted in aperture 78 as seen in FIG. 4. The anti-friction means 82, see FIG. 3, is removed; see FIG. 4, and the container 28 is drawn onto member 70, per FIG. 4, whereby the panel 56 is engaged by the distal end of member 70 and impacted refuse R is moved toward the rear open end of the container past the open panel 33. The pressure exerted by the material pushed inwardly by panel 56 and ejector blade member 70, as the container is drawn onto member 70, results in refuse gravitating out of the tilted refuse container 28.

After the container is emptied, the container is permitted to move forward (empty) to the position of FIG. 3. The anti-friction means 82 is re-installed, resulting in the wheel being in alignment with cam track ramp '98. Drawing the container forwardly via the cable assembly, results in the ejector member 70 tilting upwardly about axel 64 after key 80 has been removed from aperture 78, and when the container reaches the solid line position of FIG. 1, the member 70 is once more locked in its stored position; thereafter the pallet 14 is lowered and the container is once more filled.

The embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, will replace the cam ramp expedient previously described, as would the power operated screw (not shown). In this embodiment, the container 28 is controlled as previously described, i.e., through the cable and winch assembly, however the ejector blade is raised and lowered through the expedient of power operated means, in this instance by operating the fluid motor 179 through suitable controls, not shown.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the event greater depth of penetration of the ejector blade is required, the ejector blade head 274 of the assembly 270 can be extended, (see FIG. 10) via the fluid motor 280.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for handling and dumping refuse, comprising in combination:

a support member having a forward and rear end;

a refuse container displacably-supported on said support member;

ejector blade means at the forward end of said support member exteriorly of said container; said ejector blade means including a support assembly including a displacable body member;

means operatively connected to said body member for alternatively orienting the body member in a stored position outside the container or in a rearwardly-disposed operative position for introduction into the container upon forward movement of the container onto said body member;

said refuse container on said support member having means for moving said container toward and away from said ejector body member,

said refuse container having a rearwardly-opening portion through which refuse is dumped, said container having a forwardly-opening portion for receiving said body member therethrough when the container is moved onto the body member which is in an operative position; and

power means operatively connected to said refuse container for moving said container onto said body member whereby said body member moves through said forwardly-opening portion of the container and impacted refuse is urged out of said container.

2. Apparatus for handling and dumping refuse, comprising in combination:

a support member having a forward and rear end;

ejector blade means at the forward end of said support member;

said ejector blade means including a support assembly for alternatively orienting the ejector blade means in a stored position or a rearwardly-disposed operative position;

a refuse container on said support member having means permitting movement of said container toward and away from said ejector blade means,

said refuse container having a rearwardly-opening portion through which refuse is dumped,

said container having a forwardly-opening portion for receiving said ejector blade therethrough when the ejector blade means is in an operative position; and

power means operatively connected to said refuse container for moving said container toward said ejector blade means and through said forwardlyopening portion of the container whereby impacted refuse is urged out of said container,

said ejector blade means comprising an elongated body member extending transversely of said container,

means pivoting said body member on a transverse axis of rotation, and

lock means alternatively retaining said body member in a vertical-stored or horizontally-operative position relative to said support member.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 2 in which said container includes a cam track confronting the free end of said body member opposite means pivoting said body member,

said body member including anti-friction means at said free end for facilitating raising and lowering the body member.

4. Apparatus for handling and dumping refuse, comprising in combination:

a support member having a forward and rear end;

ejector blade means at the forward end of said support member;

said ejector blade means including a support assembly for alternatively orienting the ejector blade means in a stored position or a rearwardly-disposed operative position;

a refuse container on said support member having means permitting movement of said container toward and away from said ejector blade means,

said refuse container having a rearwardly-opening portion through which refuse is dumped,

said container having a forwardly-opening portion for receiving said ejector blade therethrough when the ejector blade means is in an operative position; and

power means operatively connected to said refuse container for moving said container toward said ejector blade means and through said forwardlyopening portion of the container whereby impacted refuse is urged out of said container,

said container including a hinged access panel depending over the forwardly-opening portion and displaceable inwardly by said ejector blade means when the container is moved onto said ejector blade means.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said refuse container is pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot axis rearwardly of said support member.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said power means comprises a power winch-and-cable assembly including a hook on said container for receiving said cable, and an idler element journaled on a trans verse axis rearwardly of said container.

7. The structure as claimed in claim 2 in which said ejector blade means comprises an extensible portion for increasing its length whereby the depth of penetration of said ejector blade means into the refuse container is increased.

8. The structure as claimed in claim 7 in which said extensible portion includes power means for extending the same.

9. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which power operated means is operatively connected to said body member for orienting it in an operative position or a stored position.

10. The structure as claimed in claim 9 in which said power operated means comprises a motor assembly 0peratively connected to a lever-arm portion of said ejector blade means. 

1. Apparatus for handling and dumping refuse, comprising in combination: a support member having a forward and rear end; a refuse container displacably-supported on said support member; ejector blade means at the forward end of said support member exteriorly of said container; said ejector blade means including a support assembly including a displacable body member; means operatively connected to said body member for alternatively orienting the body member in a stored position outside the container or in a rearwardly-disposed operative position for introduction into the container upon forward movement of the container onto said body member; said refuse container on said support member having means for moving said container toward and away from said ejector body member, said refuse container having a rearwardly-opening portion through which refuse is dumped, said container having a forwardly-opening portion for receiving said body member therethrough when the container is moved onto the body member which is in an operative position; and power means operatively connected to said refuse container for moving said container onto said body member whereby said body member moves through said forwardly-opening portion of the container and impacted refuse is urged out of said container.
 2. Apparatus for handling and dumping refuse, comprising in combination: a support member having a forward and rear end; ejector blade means at the forward end of said support member; said ejector blade means including a support assembly for alternatively orienting the ejector blade means in a stored position or a rearwardly-disposed operative position; a refuse container on said support member having means permitting movement of said container toward and away from said ejector blade means, said refuse container having a rearwardly-opening portion through which refuse is dumped, said container having a forwardly-opening portion for receiving said ejector blade therethrough when the ejector blade means is in an operative position; and power means operatively connected to said refuse container for moving said container toward said ejector blade means and through said forwardly-opening portion of the container whereby impacted refuse is urged out of said container, said ejector blade means comprising an elongated body member extending transversely of said container, means pivoting said body member on a transverse axis of rotation, and lock means alternatively retaining said body member in a vertical-stored or horizontally-operative position relative to said support member.
 3. The structure as claimed in claim 2 in which said container includes a cam track confronting the free end of said body member opposite means pivoting said body member, said body member including anti-friction means at said free end for facilitating raising and lowering the body member.
 4. Apparatus for handling and dumping refuse, comprising in combination: a support member having a forward and rear end; ejector blade means at the forward end of said support member; said ejector blade means including a support assembly for alternatively orienting the ejector blade means in a stored position or a rearwardly-disposed operative position; a refuse container on said support member having means permitting movement of said container toward and away from said ejeCtor blade means, said refuse container having a rearwardly-opening portion through which refuse is dumped, said container having a forwardly-opening portion for receiving said ejector blade therethrough when the ejector blade means is in an operative position; and power means operatively connected to said refuse container for moving said container toward said ejector blade means and through said forwardly-opening portion of the container whereby impacted refuse is urged out of said container, said container including a hinged access panel depending over the forwardly-opening portion and displaceable inwardly by said ejector blade means when the container is moved onto said ejector blade means.
 5. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said refuse container is pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot axis rearwardly of said support member.
 6. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said power means comprises a power winch-and-cable assembly including a hook on said container for receiving said cable, and an idler element journaled on a transverse axis rearwardly of said container.
 7. The structure as claimed in claim 2 in which said ejector blade means comprises an extensible portion for increasing its length whereby the depth of penetration of said ejector blade means into the refuse container is increased.
 8. The structure as claimed in claim 7 in which said extensible portion includes power means for extending the same.
 9. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which power operated means is operatively connected to said body member for orienting it in an operative position or a stored position.
 10. The structure as claimed in claim 9 in which said power operated means comprises a motor assembly operatively connected to a lever-arm portion of said ejector blade means. 